Willis Ayieko, the Human Resource Manager at Wells Fargo who went missing last Friday, has been found dead in Gem, Siaya County.
His body, handcuffed, was discovered near a stream on Wednesday, deepening fears of foul play in his mysterious disappearance.
Ayieko was last seen after attending a funeral in Gem on Friday, before setting out for his home in Kakamega, where he was scheduled to attend a family function the following day. However, when he failed to arrive, his family raised the alarm, fearing he had been attacked on the journey.
Siaya Sub-County Police Commander Charles Wafula confirmed the grim discovery. “We received a call from members of the public who alerted us to a body near a stream in Yala. Upon arrival, we found the deceased handcuffed, which immediately raised suspicions of a criminal act. Investigations are underway to establish the circumstances of his death,” Wafula said.
Ayieko’s vehicle, a Ford Ranger double-cabin pickup, was found abandoned at a fuel station in Sabatia, Vihiga County, miles from where his body was located. “CCTV footage from the petrol station shows two men parking the vehicle before fleeing the scene. We are analyzing the footage and working with our colleagues in Vihiga to identify the suspects,” Wafula added.
The police commander emphasized the seriousness of the case, noting that, “Given the nature of the incident and the manner in which Ayieko’s body was found, we are treating this as a possible homicide. We will not rest until we get to the bottom of this.”
Ayieko’s family remains in shock as they await answers. “We are devastated by his death. He was a peaceful man with no known enemies, and it is hard to understand why anyone would want to harm him,” a family member said.
Wafula confirmed that Ayieko’s body has been transferred to the Aga Khan Hospital mortuary for preservation, with an autopsy set to determine the exact cause of death.
“We are calling on anyone with information that could assist in this investigation to come forward. Every lead is crucial at this stage,” he urged, adding that the cooperation of the public has been helpful so far.
As investigations continue, authorities are hopeful that the CCTV footage and witness accounts will help piece together the final moments leading to Ayieko’s death, providing much-needed closure for his grieving family.
